Insurance fraud is a bigger problem in the United States than you might guess. And the people who commit it are increasingly creative. While there are plenty of common scams out there -- like pretending you lost an expensive piece of jewelry, then filing a claim -- fraudsters also perpetrate scams by, say, staging accidents. For example, a motorist in front of you will suddenly hit the brakes in the hopes you'll hit him and he can fake an injury. Or someone will craft a fake vehicle title or registration for a nonexistent (but expensive) antique or luxury car, then report the car stolen and file a claim.

Such rip-offs cost Americans tens of billions of dollars a year. And unfortunately, they've become more prevalent, thanks to a sour economy that's causing some people to resort to desperate measures to bring in a little cash. Auto insurance fraud, for example, has risen dramatically -- and so has the number of people who believe cheating their auto insurer is acceptable.

However, while insurance
fraud may be widespread, it's certainly not being ignored. Insurers are constantly working to thwart fraud through a wide variety of means -- including the 10 listed here -- and adjustors are quite adept at spotting suspicious claims. Submit a fraudulent one, and it may mean a hefty fine or the slammer for you.